What’s Your Status?

             A major factor influencing an adolescent’s mental and emotional growth is socioeconomic status (SES). As Dolgin (2011) states, “Awareness of different levels of SES influences adolescents’ self-perceptions as well as their perceptions of the external world” by comparing themselves with others and being found lacking (p. 55). Because of low SES, limitations on a student can occur, such as limited alertness, helplessness or powerlessness, deprivation and hardship, and insecurity (Dolgin, 2011, pp. 56-7). Students from minority ethnic groups are often targets of prejudice or hostility, specific for students: bullying (Dolgin, 2011, p. 60). If adolescents are not dealing with enough because of their changing bodies and minds, and the emotional baggage this time of their life comes with, many young boys and girls live in a low socioeconomic status environment and/or are a racial minority. As adolescents begin to develop their identity, it is common for adolescents who come from a low socioeconomic status to also have lower self-esteem and a poor self-concept, in the respect that the adolescent is doing poorly because of their economic situation instead of viewing themselves poorly (Dolgin, 2011, p. 154). Often, adolescents from a low socioeconomic background have reduced parental support, and often do not have the latest fashions or are able to join the same clubs/organizations for financial reasons (Dolgin, 2011, p. 154). Erickson notes that identity formation is the major goal of adolescence (Dolgin, 2011, p. 150) Yet, both of these factors can lead to negative identity formation.


            Teachers are able to offer opportunities to many students who would otherwise not have the opportunity to experience, including field trips to the zoo, theatre, guest speakers (especially for career days), and viewing movies. As an educator, keep in mind that not all students come to school with the same background knowledge and experiences. Take time to step outside the curriculum to bring some invaluable experiences to the students. Help open the eyes of all your students to the world around them to reduce prejudices, racism, and bias. It could be through you that a student begins to form a positive identity and their self-esteem will begin to grow. What could be more important than that? 


So, remember: 

• Low socioeconomic status plays a role in a student's identity formation.
• Often low socioeconomic status results in low self-esteem.
• Forming an identity is the goal of adolescence, according to Erickson.
• You can introduce new experiences to all students and begin to fight unfair prejudices of the students. 

Reference

Dolgin, K.G. (2011). The adolescet: Development, relationships, and culture (13thed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.